Meet the Therapist: Danny Zane
Danny Zane is a therapist in Central and North London and online
What attracted you to become a therapist?
I have been volunteering with people, and animals, since my teens and I gifted myself therapeutic space and time since my first job. I had an epiphany about making this my career so made a big life change and started the training. So, here I am. My wife is also a psychotherapist and has been a huge inspiration to me.
I love learning about people and gaining a greater understanding of what's going on for them and being able to support them in their lives. There is no greater feeling than watching someone flourish in my therapy room.
Where did you train?
I trained at The Mary Ward Centre. They have been amazing, so holding and full of love. I really enjoyed my time there.
Can you tell us about the type of therapy you practise?
I am an integrative therapist and counsellor. This means I have multiple tools in my tool box to help clients in a way that I believe will be most effective for them and any goals they may have.
At the forefront of my work I am person-centred. For me this means that I always offer unconditional positive regard, I am non-judgemental and offer empathy.
I wish to build a safe space based on my approach where my clients can bring anything they wish or need to. My clients will soon know, in my therapy room, they are the expert; they know more about themselves than I ever will.
How does your type of therapy help with symptoms of anxiety?
If you are struggling with anxiety, my approach will enable you to explore your thoughts, emotions and behaviours. This will help you to gain a solid understanding of the causes of your anxiety, which in turn will make it easier to manage and cope with these feelings.
As I consider my clients to be the expert in the room, they are autonomous and they direct their therapy sessions. This can empower clients to take control of their anxiety whilst we work together on how best to manage it.
I often do this with a small amount of psychoeducation alongside my therapeutic support. This approach provides a client with a range of different tools to address many aspects of their anxiety.
In the longer term, I aim to equip my clients with insights and skills that they can use in their future, long after their therapy has ended.
What sort of people do you usually see?
Most often I work with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, anger, relationship issues, bereavement and loss, stress, work issues, OCD and clients seeking meaning.
Have you noticed any recent mental health trends or wider changes in attitude?
I have noticed that there appears to be a rise in existential angst. I believe this is due to the technology resulting from developments in Artificial Intelligence. There is a growing trend in people fearing for their jobs, losing their meaning and purpose and generally thinking of the future as something to fear rather than something to embrace.
I have also noticed that it seems a lot of people are looking to pop psychology for the answers and trusting what they read on social media. It appears that people are using professional terms and making judgements of others rather flippantly. One example of this is me hearing others often described as narcissists.
What do you like about being a therapist?
I love helping others and always have. Having a client base of people that benefit from therapy brings me so much meaning in my life.
I often also note that healing goes both ways: when a client shows or states the benefit of their therapy space, I get a great feeling from this as well.
What is less pleasant?
For me this is when a client is unable to express trauma and move past and through it. It is hard if a client is stuck in a space of discomfort and repeating patterns that can be destructive to them and those they have relationships with.
How long have you been with Welldoing and what you think of us?
Welldoing have been really proactive with me and very engaging. They offer CPD, write ups, help with marketing myself and my therapy practice. It all feels very supportive. The booking system seems very user friendly and easy to work with.
Do you ever suggest books or apps to clients?
I do have suggestions that I may offer from time to time.
In loss and bereavement I may suggest On Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.
With any need to improve their lives in a more general sense, its On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers and Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday.
For anger, I would recommend Anger: How to Live With or Without It or How to Control your Anger Before it Controls You, both by Albert Ellis.
For meaning and purpose, On Being and Becoming: An Existentialist Approach to Life by Jennifer Goswtti-Ferencei.
If my clients take a reading recommendation and get something from it, I may research other books that may be of use and read them prior to offering them to my client.
What you do for your own mental health?
I enjoy hiking, riding my bike and practising and studying Goju Ryu Karate. This style of Karate is very mindful and mediational for me. It teaches me so much about our mind and body connection. I make sure I take 10 minutes each morning to mediate within one of my Karate katas which are a sequence of movements and techniques like a prearranged dance.
You are a therapist in North London. What can you share with us about seeing clients in this area?
I am a therapist in Harley Street, Central London as well as Finchley, North London.
I also work online, offer home visits and eco therapy whilst walking in a park or the woods.
Clients that request home visits are often house bound or experiencing a phobia of some sorts. Some just have more resources and are able to book their therapy in the comfort of their own home.
What’s your consultation room like?
In Harley Street it is a large Victorian style room with a library wall packed with many amazing books. Of course it offers a very private and silent space.
What do you wish people knew about therapy?
I wish that people knew there does not need to be any stigma attached to seeing a therapist or counsellor. Talking can be very empowering as well as life enriching. I wish everyone knew that even if they do not consider themselves as having issues, therapy can be an important addition to self-care.
What did you learn about yourself in therapy?
I learnt about my vulnerabilities and how it is powerful for me to be able to share those with loved and trusted people in my life. I also learnt the importance of expressing my thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Contact Danny here
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